Ormond Beach, Fla. (May 11, 2017) --- After an excruciating extra-inning loss in its 2017 MEAC Tournament opener, the Delaware State softball team found the energy to stay alive in the tourney with a win in its second game in near 90 degree heat at the Ormond Beach Sports Complex today.

The Hornets dropped their tournament opener 3-0 in 10 innings to North Carolina A&T before bouncing back for a 7-5 victory over Coppin State later in the day.

In the opener, North Carolina A&T did not get its first hit until the 10th inning, but took advantage of the opportunity to score the only runs of the game.

Delaware State starter Hannah Shield was brilliant through nine innings, allowing just one base runner (on an error) before the Aggies broke through in the 10th.

The contest was still scoreless when NCA&T's Zadia Davis reached base on an error to lead off the 10th. Zadaisha Waddell followed with a single to right for the Aggies' first hit of the game. Kimberly Brunson then singled to center to score Davis with the first run of the game. Alexandria Simmons and Mohogany Headen added run scoring hits off Shields in the inning.

Delaware State outhit the Aggies 8-5, left 15 runners on base in the contest.

The Hornets had golden opportunities to score in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, but failed to capitalize.

In the seventh, Jordan Casey was at second and Micaela Cummings on first with one out. Sabrina Quarles then reached base on an error, but Casey was cut down at the plate while trying to score on the play.

The Hornets loaded the bases with none out in the eighth, but the Aggies retired the next three batters- Vanessa Washington, Casey and Cummings- to end the threat.

In the ninth, Jasmine Melgoza doubled to lead off the inning but was stranded at third.

Delaware State had two runners on with two outs in the bottom of the 10th, but Cummings popped out to second to end the game.

Despite nine no-hit innings, Shields (8-11) was the tough luck loser in the contest. She allowed five hits and three runs, two earned, while striking out five without a walk in the complete game performance.

In Coppin State game, 1-2 hitters Jasmine Melgoza and Sabrina Quarles were a combined 6-for-8 with four runs scored and two RBI to lead the Hornets' 13-hit attack.

Mika Lumsden was 3-for-3 with a run scored, while Desiree Moreno and Khaliyah Flournory drove in two runs each.

The Hornets opened the scoring with four runs in the third inning. Quarles singled in the first run, while Flournory smacked a two-run double to give the Hornets a 4-0 lead.

Coppin State responded with three runs in the third, including a solo homer by Hadika James, off DSU starter Tara Tursellino.

After Melgoza singled in a run in the fourth inning to give the Hornets a 5-3 lead, the Eagles scored twice in the fifth to tie the game.

The score was still tied in the sixth when Moreno doubled in Melgoza and Quarles for the go-ahead runs.

Jess Shalongo pitched three innings in relief to pick up the win for the Hornets, who will fight to stay alive in an elimination game against Hampton or Bethune-Cookman on Friday at 10:00 am.